Very very early speying of bitches

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Dalya Livy — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:52:58 GMT

I believe puppies and kittens in shelters in USA are commonly spayed/castrated at 8-12 weeks of age, ie prior to adoption, which would seem reasonable.

In Australia, routine spay/castration of owned pets was performed at 4 months of age, if memory serves me correctly (it's been a few years).

The issue with surgeries at <3m is that some anaesthetic considerations are different, which needs to be accounted for.

Dalya

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Colin Cameron — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:13:58 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]I don't see the idea that is being done for money?[/quote] Why else would the vet in question not say "NO"? Are they scared of the breeder or of losing a client. Personally I would not wish to have such a client on my books.

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Colin Cameron — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:09:28 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]not many of us look forward to bitch spays with that much enthusiasm however routinely we do them.[/quote]

I am surprised by this as I personally rather enjoy them............................after all surgery is surgery!!

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Colin Cameron — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:04:32 GMT

[quote user="Niall Taylor"]

This is surely a misunderstanding or a wind-up?

[/quote] It was seen by my partner and appears to be a genuine case.

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:56:28 GMT

[quote user="Fiona Dale"] I have seen a few males that have been castrated when they arrive for 1st vaccination[/quote]

bilateral cryptorchid?

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Camilla Edwards — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:37:20 GMT

http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/pdf/10.2460/javma.231.11.1665

I hope this link works. I'm not sure if I'm only accessing this article as I'm logged on to Athens or not, but it makes an interesting read about the age at which to neuter.

Determining the optimal age for gonadectomy of dogs and cats JAVMA, Vol 231, No. 11, December 1, 2007 p 1665-1675

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Fiona French — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:55:02 GMT

[quote user="Niall Taylor"]

[quote user="Colin Cameron"]

We have just had a 6 week old puppy brought in as having already been speyed to prevent the new owner from using it for breeding. Is there no limit to what some vets are prepared to do for money? I would question the ethical standards and moral fortitude of the vet doing this. Any comments on this from anyone?

[/quote]

This is surely a misunderstanding or a wind-up?

Niall

[/quote]

This does happen, mainly in that rare pedigree breed - the labradoodle! I have seen a few males that have been castrated when they arrive for 1st vaccination, and have heard of the same in females. Apparently this is an American trend. I do not see that it can be justified, especially when the reason is to protect the breeders from having competition.

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Stephen Courtney — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:39:12 GMT

[quote user="Niall Taylor"]

[quote user="Colin Cameron"]

[/quote]

This is surely a misunderstanding or a wind-up?

Niall

[/quote]

Evidence of surgery should be glaringly obvious. but i have been told amazing porkies by ignorant yet excited new owners who have misunderstood something pretty often - as has everyone i imagine!

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Niall Taylor — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:17:45 GMT

[quote user="Colin Cameron"]

[/quote]

This is surely a misunderstanding or a wind-up?

Niall

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

emma o'connor — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:14:17 GMT

I don't think any reasoning can justify doing a procedure like this on such a young animal that has barely been weaned. I do believe early neutering at 5-6months has it's advantages, and can even see the reasoning at rehoming centres for doing so at 3 months old, but 6 weeks is a step too far for my liking.

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:07:58 GMT

6 weeks is very young and if the reason was at the breeders request to prevent the bitch having puppies presumably so they couldn't compete with her own then the vet responsible has acted unethically but probably no more than those who support puppy farmers and dealers by vaccinating their pups. If it was done in a rescue situation to prevent unwanted litters then its questionably justifiable as it would also be a lot less expensive and save the rescue home's valuble resources.

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Clive Ansell — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:59:56 GMT

is the puppy ok?

6 weeks does seem a bit young, but I have speyed and castrated dogs at 3 months of age in one of the chariry clinics I work; these patients always seem to make rapid recoveries and to date I have not seen any adverse effects. It is a condition of registration that all animals are neutered, unless there is a clinical reason not to do so.

I do think the profession needs to be far more proactive in preventing the reckless and irresponsible breeding of animals, which is occuring at the moment. If early neutering is one way of doing that, then it is a good thing.

I don't see the idea that is being done for money? would someone charge far more to neuter a puupy than an adult bitch?? it is usually priced by weight, so it could be that less would be charged than waiting until it is fully grown?

Re: Very very early speying of bitches

Bob Russell — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:58:17 GMT

Some vets working for rescue societies have tried this (possibly a bit older) and found it easy to do in the same way as a cat spay. I have never tried it - if it was that good I suspect we would all have adopted the technique - not many of us look forward to bitch spays with that much enthusiasm however routinely we do them.

How did she get on?